Product Photography Costs?

[shopintegrator]

Hi,

A friend of mine has asked me what the costs are for professional product photography for an ecommerce website? The products are small handmade pieces of jewellery, numbering around 30 pieces in total; a mix of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants.

I'm interested in what people have paid for their product photography of similar sized items or what people charge who do this professionally to get an idea of what they should consider to be an average price so they don't get overcharged?

I know it is possible for a DIY photography solution, but that is not something they are interested in or have the time to do so am not looking to explorer that option in this thread.

Thanks

 

[deniser]

The good thing about small items is you don't need a studio. I would have thought you could get someone who works from home to come to you for about £30-40 per hour?

 

[kulture]

As a small point, consider who should own the copyright on the resultant pictures. If not otherwise stated in writing it will automatically belong to the photographer. It may not matter.

 

[matth]

If I were to do product photography (I don't, I do weddings), I personally would include copyright with the images, but with an agreement that I could use said images as part of my portfolio.

Can't see owning the copyright for those types of image being worth much to anyone else, unless it's a generic product of course

 

[Deleted member 59730]

I bet this thread turns into another one which suggests you can get professional photography results for about half the cost of a car mechanic or plumber.

This guy is the tops http://www.hartleystudios.com/

I doubt you'll get him for £40 an hour.

 

[deniser]

I bet this thread turns into another one which suggests you can get professional photography results for about half the cost of a car mechanic or plumber.

This guy is the tops http://www.hartleystudios.com/

I doubt you'll get him for £40 an hour.

Am I wildly out then?

We pay between £50-100 per hour of actual shoot including studio hire, dressing room hire, receptionist, photo editing etc.

I was thinking of the people starting out who do not yet have a studio. I use some near me who charge £150 for 2 hours but you get 2 photographers for that price which is how I arrived at my estimate. And they are very talented.

 

[owas]

if they or you want I would be happy to give it a shot, at no cost, all you have to arrange it courier pick up and drop off. I am self taught in photography and have got a new micro lens I would love to try out, as I aint a pro couldn't really charge, but have some good shots so far.

 

[BrightIdeas]

£10 per image is fairly standard, I think. This is inclusive of all artworking.

A note about jewellery.... having a macro lens is essential. Also, if the client is happy with a non-white background, it does make the job a little easier.

 

[akirk]

key is:
- lighting
- clean background
- arrangement of items

I would ensure that the owner fo the items is involved in the arrangement
but lighting and background is the photographer's area

lighting can be complex if there is reflection to be included / avoided
prices suggested above wil get you someone, I would look for someone with experience...

Alasdair

 

[BrightIdeas]

Yes, definitely arrangement of items. Sounds obvious, I know, but not everyone has an eye for laying out a piece of jewellery attractively.

 

[shopintegrator]

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses so far.

It is good to get an idea of the hourly rates you've experienced, but do you have any idea of what sort of number of these small sized jewellery products you would expect a professional to get through in an hour to the point that the finished images are available on a CD/to download as the finished delivery in order to get a rough idea of the total time spent and therefore be able to apply these hourly rates to get an idea of total cost?

if they or you want I would be happy to give it a shot, at no cost, all you have to arrange it courier pick up and drop off.

Thanks OWAS, I'll pass on your offer.

 

[deniser]

If you get one person to arrange them while the photographer is taking the photo of something else so he can just zip round with the camera then you can go much more quickly. Don't know how you intend to do them, in a lightbox or on a surface but best to have more than one spot to photograph them on.

Ours are different, we do clothing but we aim to do 10 products per half hour but the clothes are ready on the models, no arranging to do.

I saw a programme about John Lewis once and someone spent ages arranging each item perfectly.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

Another way to look at it is what will be the difference in sales on the web site between going to an experienced professional who has done this sort of thing before and an amateur doing it on the cheap. Is saving £100 or so worth losing thousands in sales?

'Zipping around with a camera' LOL.

 

[deniser]

Another way to look at it is what will be the difference in sales on the web site between going to an experienced professional who has done this sort of thing before and an amateur doing it on the cheap. Is saving £100 or so worth losing thousands in sales?

'Zipping around with a camera' LOL.

Where did I mention amateur?

We only use professional photographers!

The point I was trying to get across was to minimise the time between the photographer doing his shots by organising the layout of the products. Otherwise you will be faffing around with the products one at a time while the photographer goes off to get a cuppa and check his emails when he could be photographing.

We have made this mistake. Years ago when we started out we managed 2-3 products per half hour; now we manage 10.

This has a huge effect on profit margins for the item sold as you have to factor the photography costs into the cost price.

 

[Naughty Vend]

Why not set yourself up a "mini studio" with a digital camera on one of those tiny tripods, some good lighting and a backdrop or fabric set - you know what I mean...

I saw a site last week with a video clip and their product rotating in similar.

 

[deniser]

Why not set yourself up a "mini studio" with a digital camera on one of those tiny tripods, some good lighting and a backdrop or fabric set - you know what I mean...

I saw a site last week with a video clip and their product rotating in similar.

I don't think you can get the same effect as from a professional photographer. The quality of the images is so important. I have a friend who recently got hers (also jewellery) redone by a professional (they looked fine before) and the difference is amazing.

 

[Elbe]

Hi,

May I join in....now I am in a quandry! Just about to buy a 'Midi Pro Lighting Kit'...Lightbox, Backdrops and Tripod as recommended by my web designer. Now I am thinking will images be good enough!

Thinking aloud is great isn't it....I am going to buy above kit and will let you guys know how I get on!

Still new to this site, so unsure if the rules allow me to recommend the 'kit' if it does the job?

Regards,

 

[Astaroth]

A lot will depend on what sort of images that your friend is wanting. If its the standard high/low key photo which are very "informational" in nature (ie above, across, side view) then these can be fairly quickly got through. If you're wanting something more "artistic", using other props or multiple items in a shot then you will be massively extending the time to both arrange the items and adjust the lighting.

If you are hiring a pro make sure you understand what file sizes you'll be getting and what the copyright situation is. If you say it's for a website some will give you only web suitable resolution files and potentially just license the files to you for the purposes of website use, both of which causes problems if your friend ever decides to do any printed flyers or catalogues etc.

Pricing wise, £40/hr or £300/day feels the right sort of level.

 

[owas]

I think its unfair to say if the cost is cheap the images are cheap, like I said I am not a pro, but will have a shot at the others half's jewls and will post the result just for argument sakes on quality

 

[gemd89]

www.applephoto.co.uk is great for product photography - he charges by the bulk or £8 per image. He has makeup artist, assitants, studio and does post production

Gemma

 

[akirk]

I think that the advice above about knowing the quality you want is important - there will be a big difference between each of four levels:
1 - amateur no skill (ouch horrible!)
2 - amateur - creative skills (will prob. still look amateur)
3 - pro but not specialist (competent but not perfect)
4 - pro & specialist (fantastic)

I am a pro photographer but don't like this kind of product photography - it is so fiddly to get it exactly right... my style is more contextual product photography (lifestyle / interiors /etc.) therefore, though a pro photographer with my own studio kit and decent cameras, I would come into category 3 above - I could do you good competent photos, but they would not be as good as a specialist in this field - jewellery is all about arrangement and lighting it absolutely has to be right.

Elbe, don't get too excited by kits like that - they are okay-ish, but not good, they are bought by people wanting high-key / white backgrounds but to get decent white backgrounds you need at least three if not four lights - lighting object and background separately and over-exposing the background... to do it with four lights in a tent like that is challenging...

Alasdair

 

[Deleted member 59730]

I think that the advice above about knowing the quality you want is important - there will be a big difference between each of four levels:
1 - amateur no skill (ouch horrible!)
2 - amateur - creative skills (will prob. still look amateur)
3 - pro but not specialist (competent but not perfect)
4 - pro & specialist (fantastic)
Alasdair

Additionally a specialist will have knowledge of what works to get the subject to look its best. Even cleaning small items like jewellery is a difficult and time consuming process. A specialist will have specially constructed lights, probably custom made, for small objects.

From experience I can tell you that if the pieces are matt the time to light them could be one tenth or more compared to glossy surfaces.

 

[stackoverflow]

IMO product photography comes in a few favours.

Jewellery shoot are fine art. You need macro lens and even medium format tilt-shift head to get the depth of the field. search tilt shift photography Jewellery and have a look at the akelstudio. I don't think £10 a pot will do its justice.

Catalogue product can be very quick if organised well. I have done a few session for a client, lifestyle product, charging at £30/hour £300/day. It works out around £1 a photo at the end. It includes front view, detail view and with model to give a perspective life size.

The top of the cream would be editorial, creative shoots for glossy brochure, magazine or advert. Photographer & model needs to present the product so it can sell itself. You don't get that by rate of time.

I do 2 and 3 - on 3 I have done bridal dresses.

 

I once commissioned a photographer to take photos for a rugby club's online shop and merchandise catalogue. He charged £250 for the day, and came equipped with all the pro stuff and quality of work was oustanding. That was in 2002, things may have changed.

The Freelance Fees Guide website offers a fees guide for photographers which may give you more info:
http://www.londonfreelance.org/fees...ubsect=Day/base+rates&subsubs=All&page=Advice

 

[aje]

if they or you want I would be happy to give it a shot, at no cost, all you have to arrange it courier pick up and drop off. I am self taught in photography and have got a new micro lens I would love to try out, as I aint a pro couldn't really charge, but have some good shots so far.

Is that a joke or are you serious?

There is no such thing as a micro lens.

 

There is no such thing as a micro lens.

I have just called a professional photographer who owns 6 Nikon micro lenses so your statement is factually untrue...

 

[stackoverflow]

it is mAcro iworkonline, take no offence, the number of lens he's got is no proof of his authority.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro_lens
Cant help to think of a Barclays advert...

 

it is mAcro iworkonline, take no offence, the number of lens he's got is no proof of his authority.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro_lens
Cant help to think of a Barclays advert...

I queried that, having first researched both macro and micro lens types, and he told me he has 6 micro lenses. Works as a sports photographer for Getty Images, enough authority? In any case, micro lenses exist which was in question, no point debating fact. Disagree all you want...

 

[ORDERED WEB]

Micro, Macro - both exist
http://www.nikonians.org/html/resou.../Tokina_AT-X_M100AF/Tokina_AT-X_M100AF_2.html

Why a sports photographer wants a micro or macro lens is beyond me, let alone 6. Does he shoot ant racing?

Most professionals have a range of lenses to suit their field of work. and normally have a few general purpose lenses to mop up the odd shot they have to take that falls outside of their normal range of work. I dont have a single lens that the typical sport photographer uses. However your typical sports photographer is more likley to have "somewhere" the lenses I generally use on a day to day basis, as my need is more generic. If I were to shoot sport all day, I would be hiring a different camera and lens combo for the job

For most studio product shots, a macro or micro lens isnt really needed, unless the product is very small , or a particular aspect of the product needs to be shot as a close up... Small being a ring, coin or smaller Most studio photographers will buy a macro lens, or a lens that has a macro function, It just wont be used much

TBH with product photography, the camera is second in importance to the lighting. A studio full of specialist lighting gear, and a big goodie box full of things like clamps, pegs, blackwrap, dulling spray, bluetack, thin nylon thread, glycerine spray, various flags and reflectors would rock my boat much more than an impressive camera and range of lenses. You really are paying for the photographers lighting skills and inginuity. The actual camera/lens combo they shoot with is often the last thing they think about

 

[aje]

Okay. I really don't want to get into a petty debate.

I have looked up micro lenses upon 'iworkonline' informing me that they do exist based on his colleague's mass collection. I also thought it may have been an Americanism, but they are real and they are specifically for microscopes which makes sense.

Some photographers use macro lenses for close-up work. End of my take on this exhilarating thread.

 

Okay. I really don't want to get into a petty debate.

I have looked up micro lenses upon 'iworkonline' informing me that they do exist based on his colleague's mass collection. I also thought it may have been an Americanism, but they are real and they are specifically for microscopes which makes sense.

Some photographers use macro lenses for close-up work. End of my take on this exhilarating thread.

Another factually incorrect statement, I'd love to see you pitching on Dragon's Den... :|

 

[Jonathanlouis]

I am a year or two late on this post. Have been away but I write about perennial issues here essential for all business owners whether they commission or are employed to photograph originate art work, creative input or copy etc etc

There is some considerable ignorance of the rights and law in these posts and that is understandable as many people are completely ignorant of their rights both in business and in life. That is why we let the powers that be walk all over us and just whinge. But that is for another post!!!

Having been a professional photographer for over 35 years and one of the team responsible for changing the Copyright Act to strengthen creative creators I can say one thing absolutely.

The copyright in a work and goes for all or any work, be the originator amateur or professional is that they retain and cannot lose the copyright in their work.

The only time you can lose your right to retaining copyright is when you consciously sign away that right. For example when the BBC asks for submission pics or to go on their website you click on an agree to T and Cs. Here they used to have something like "you agree to forfeit your © blah blah " However we demanded they change that as we also demanded change for competition entries etc to right to use for whatever in perpetuity or whatever they could get away with. Since few read their T and Cs they strung it out wildly. I personally took the Guardian to rask on theirs and they changed it with tail between their legs.. Even they who are in the words and picture biz.

Now what is very important for both originator and client to remember is that rights are rights until you give them away. On a shoot for web as here
the shooter owns the rights, always will. Even if the shoot is heavily art directed the photographer has his/her rights as unalienable, and for 70 years after their death remember.....

Now this is where the confusion comes in - License to Use - it is the license to use that we as creators must have to determine exactly what right the client end user has. Saves a lot of cussing and swearing and mean spirit.

Many who blithely download and use on blogs FB and their web sites pics from the Google search are rampantly abusing someone's copyright. Oh it is just a small use on my site that no-one sees is no case in law.

I myself inadvertently featured in a combo pic on one website a miniscule image from my client who as it turned out had the rights thank goodness. However a global image library came down like a ton of bricks on me and presented a bill for £2000. Suffice to say I was not inbreach. However there is technology out there now that reads images - so be very aware that innocent misuse can become expensive.

There is more and more policing in this respect so YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED....

There are many good libraries out there for Royalty Free deals (though I say that to spite my face!)

So remember every creative work be it happy snaps or professional images, cartoons, writing (though there is a slight difference here we cannot go into here) art work etc. If you are interested in not having your work STOLEN - because that is what it is theft, even ignorant theft, then make your conditions of use very clear and get that signature.

I have to say here that there is such a thing as Fair Usage. Many use this clause when excerpting video from the BeeB or copyrighted work. This works where there is a proven educational or information passing purpose. If there is a sales tag at the end or implied - COPYRIGHT INFRNGEMENT

All who have had notices from their ISPs for downloading films etc know this territory as well same with music.... do not get into that minefield otherwise you become a thief and we shall lock you up and throw away the key!!

For clients just because you paid for it does not mean you own it. You have the negotiated rights to use it and that negotiation needs to include what medium or media. That also can affect the price of usage outside the commissioned professional service paid for.

Some have suggested £10 a shot - LOOK READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY - If you pay peanuts you get monkeys.

I always say to clients. This is my fee these are the usage rights you have happy to negotiate reasonably but you will get the professional's execution of it not your Nan's young nephew's gallant attempt or a beginner fresh out of college. But hey if you want a beginner then have a nice day.....

Be as correct and smart in conducting your business with others as you would like others to be with you. If you are out to get rock bottom at some time you will hit that in ways you may not even appreciate. That may sound philosophical....but we sow what we reap....in every mucky corner of our lives as well as the sweet scented meadows

Bottom line - get educated on your rights their rights and respect the law and the other party's best practice.....

Hope that helps











?

 

Truly fantastic post, Jonathan. Thanked!

 

[Jonathanlouis]

Just another point to address, folks

How many can I be expected to have done in a day/hour?

Photography like the professionals who have already supplied is about determining the quality

I was asked to do 1500 items from jewelry to precious stones, carvings etc

As I was constructing the client's web presence as well, we got a system, great lighting etc and format. Smooth way great images

Client eventually realized that despite quality he could not afford an ongoing service as this, so I told him how to set up himself and he took over at nights!!!

Now quality went down I lost revenue but he got the numbers done, I kept him happy, we got a good site and frank;y I also got the finikity hassle out of my hair.

Sometimes you want to get back to beautiful landscapes and non production line stuff!

Horses for courses....

 

I was a pro sports photographer for two years, I did it because I enjoyed it, travelled the world and met some great people. The whole industry changed after the Nikon D70 came out and you had thousands of talentless amateurs flooding the market offering to do things for free, meaning professionals got burned. I got out, know many who still struggle on because they enjoy it.

Picked up a few tips:

1) Buy half price camera equipment at B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com) on 9th Avenue in New York, much cheaper than UK

2) ALWAYS check the weather forecast and take appropriate clothing

3) ALWAYS take a back-up camera and excess batteries/memory cards

4) Insurance is just a pre-requisite if you're a pro, that means camera insurance and public liability insurance

5) Carry your business card at all times

6) Put your BEST photos on a professional portfolio website

7) Make sure you're camera batteries are fully charged the night before a shoot

8) Buy the best equipment (for sports its usually either Nikon or Cannon), there is no substitute for quality. Other brands will do the job, but on quality and price these I couldn't find a match for these two.

9) DON'T OFFER TO DO WORK FOR FREE, even if you're just starting out at least ask for expenses, trust me THEY are making money so why shouldn't you? Plus, asking for expenses usually gets you on the payroll which makes things easier from an administrative angle.

10) Plan your calendar a year in advance (at least)

 

[Jonathanlouis]

@Iworkonline gives excellent advice.

Always remember with technology as it is today many can emulate a good photo. However it takes talent in the form of confidence, eye, training self, repetition and passion and the humility to ask for assistance when you run out of answers/solutions

Whatever you do in life do not give it away free. There are no free lunches, just agreed arrangements sharing professionally energy equally. Maintain your self respect, build your self confidence and treat all and yourself with the highest respect.

Whatever you want in your life, make sure you live it first and foremost and like a miracle you will be presented with it in your world around you. That is the true nature of positive evolution

 

[Deleted member 59730]

Having been a professional photographer for over 35 years and one of the team responsible for changing the Copyright Act to strengthen creative creators.

Me too! (although a bit longer than 35 years).

 

[Esk247]

Make sure you pick someone who has photographed jewellery before and has a portfolio showing this.

Jewellery, watches, mirrors etc are notoriously difficult to photograph.

I'm amature when it comes to photography. I've bought a decent camera but i'm still experimenting. I prefer doing landscape work because of the lighting and colouring as i'm not adept at doing shots in poor light yet. Still doesn't look right.

Jewellery photography is an art in itself, i've tried it and failed at it.

Costs vary but they should be able to come to you which reduces the costs against studio hire etc.

 

[Jonathanlouis]

Good man!

Good to have experience sharing on this site. AtmosBob

The joy of sharing our experience is for me one of the blessings of a life well lived and enjoyed to the hilt - both ups and downs..... All great learning

 

[ricksteves2011]

Hello,

I think you will be able to get all the info about the cost from this website
Thepackshotpeople

Hi,

A friend of mine has asked me what the costs are for professional product photography for an ecommerce website? The products are small handmade pieces of jewellery, numbering around 30 pieces in total; a mix of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, pendants.

I'm interested in what people have paid for their product photography of similar sized items or what people charge who do this professionally to get an idea of what they should consider to be an average price so they don't get overcharged?

I know it is possible for a DIY photography solution, but that is not something they are interested in or have the time to do so am not looking to explorer that option in this thread.

Thanks